Emergency Medicine Physician Salary Guide
How much do emergency medicine physicians make in the United States? And how does the salary for these doctors compare across states and between perm and temp work? Let’s take a look!
Explore our emergency medicine physician salary guide to discover:
- Emergency Medicine Physician Salary
- Emergency Medicine Physician Salary by State
- How an Emergency Medicine Physician’s Salary Compares Against Other Doctor Specialties
Looking for emergency medicine physician jobs? Check out our open emergency medicine doctor assignments nationwide.
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How much do emergency medicine doctors make?
The average annual emergency medicine physician wage is $320,700 per year in the United States, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. That being said, emergency medicine doctors surveyed by Medscape for its “Physician Compensation Report 2025” reported an average total pay of $388,000.
What’s the typical locum tenens emergency medicine physician salary?
Locum tenens emergency medicine physicians certified by the American Board of Emergency Medicine (ABEM) could make up to $400 an hour, however, there are many factors that impact rates including location, years of experience, and the level of demand.
Making direct salary comparisons between locum tenens and permanent providers can be complicated. While perm emergency medicine physicians are more likely to be salaried, locum tenens doctors are independent contractors earning an hourly rate, which can vary based on which assignments they take in a year.
Furthermore, because locum tenens emergency medicine physicians are paid by the hour, the hours they work are directly reflected in their pay, while a salaried doctor’s additional hours may not be reflected in their salary.
Finally, paid time off and insurance may be reflected in the perm doctor salary structure, but locum tenens providers do have options when it comes to health insurance.
Emergency Medicine Physician Salary by State
According to the BLS, the top five highest paying states for emergency medicine physician salary are:
- Arizona
- Arkansas
- Delaware
- Hawaii
- Illinois
How does emergency medicine physician salary compare against other doctor specialties?
What is an emergency medicine physician?
An emergency medicine physician is a medical doctor specially trained to provide immediate care for patients with acute illnesses or injuries in emergency department settings. These highly skilled professionals are equipped to handle a wide range of critical and time-sensitive medical situations, from minor injuries to life-threatening conditions.
What do emergency medicine doctors do?
Emergency medicine doctors rapidly assess, diagnose, and treat patients with urgent medical needs. They perform various tasks, including conducting physical examinations, ordering and interpreting diagnostic tests, administering medications, coordinating with specialists, and making critical decisions about patient care and admission. These physicians also manage multiple patients simultaneously and prioritize cases based on severity.
What type of surgeries do emergency medicine doctors do?
While emergency medicine physicians are not primarily surgeons, they are trained to perform certain urgent, life-saving procedures. These may include:
- Intubations and airway management
- Chest tube insertions for pneumothorax
- Central line placements
- Wound debridement and suturing
- Incision and drainage of abscesses
- Reduction of dislocations and fractures
- Emergency thoracotomies in extreme cases
For more complex surgical interventions, emergency medicine doctors typically stabilize patients and coordinate with surgical specialists for further treatment.